Bunkering down to bring the Illawarra's only immersive indoor golf experience

The ultimate indoor golfing experience is on its way to the Illawarra with a new interactive venue set to improve your swing and lift your game on the green while playing on the best courses from across the globe.

After seeing the immersive virtual sites pop up around the country and increase in popularity, avid golfer Mitchell Bloomfield was determined to bring the experience to his hometown.

Now, Smash Factor is bound for Wollongong, boasting six simulator bays where players can create their own golfing experience in the rain, hail or shine.

“You can do it with a bunch of mates, you can do it solo, it’s really about how you want to play,” Mitchell said.

“We’ll also have a putting green, and we’ll have a bar.”

Whether it’s just for a bit of fun or you’re trying to fine-tune your craft, Smash Factor is aimed at players of all levels to make sure they get the most out of each game.

“If you’re a very casual golfer and go out once a year, it’s a great option because you don’t have to spend $200-300 to walk around for four hours and just go chasing after your ball wherever it may go,” Mitchell said.

“You just come in and you play the same course if you wanted to, for two hours instead of four, you’re not out in the heat and we’ll bring the drinks to you.”

Through specific metrics calculated through the experience, more professional players will be able to focus in on what could be holding them back.

“It’s awesome for the more serious golfer because you get all the data from every swing.”

“Everything from the angle your club impacted the ball at, the angle the ball left at, how fast everything was moving to how well you imparted the energy – that metric is actually called your smash factor.”

And the venue will also offer lessons to help make the most out of the data.

“Rather than going to the driving range and just hitting balls and going ‘Well that one wasn’t as good as the one before, I don’t really know why’, now you can go ‘Oh my club face was open five degrees more and that’s why it went massively off to the right’.

“You can really nail it down to the ‘why’ of everything, instead of just guessing.”

Mitchell is no stranger to entertainment venues after being an integral part of the Breakout Bar and Escape Room team for five years, but Smash Factor has combined his expertise in the field with his own personal passion.

“I’ve only been playing golf for coming up on two years now, but as lots of people will tell you, it’s quite the bug if you get it,” he said. “I’ve just taken it to the most extreme level and opened up a golf venue.”

“It’s nice to be able to build a venue where you have the interest in it and you can put a lot more of yourself into it and create a much better space for all of your guests to enjoy.”

Smash Factor will be fitted out at 85 Keira Street Wollongong, with the official opening planned for early next year.

To find out more and to stay up to date, register through the Smash Factor website, or visit the Facebook or Instagram pages.